Barely an hour before the arrival of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Bihar on Thursday, RJD supremo lalu Prasad asked him to clarify his stand on the reservation policy to the OBCs, SCs and STs in the light of the statement of RSS head Mohan Bhagwat.
“Why PM is still silent on this issueIJ If he has disagreement with Bhagwat, he should condemn RSS chief’s stand. He should also tell the people who is big: The PM or Bhagwat,” said lalu who was flanked at a Press conference by State Congress president Ashok Chaudhary and JD(U) MP Pawan K Varma.
He accused Modi of being anti-Dalit and said in a book titled Karma Yog, Modi exhibited his anti-Dalit mentality be saying that Valmikis do scavenging not just to eke out a living but because of their thinking that their work would make society and God happy.
Quoting from the book in Gujarati and published by Gujarat Petroleum Corporation in 2007, lalu quoted Modi as saying, “They (Valmikis) have to continue this work assigned by the God as this continues to be happening for centuries and will continue for generations. It is impossible to believe that their ancestors did not get any other job and they had no other option.”
lalu further said that on April 30, 2010 at the release of his book “Samajik Samrasta” Modi had compared Dalits with mentally retarded children and said one should deal with Dalits similarly as they deal with mentally retarded children.
“If Modi says Dalits get satisfaction in scavenging then why doesn’t Modi enjoy this practice and why doesn’t Bhagwat carry night soilIJ” asked lalu in his inimitable style. The RJD leader also quoted from Guru Golwalkar’s book RsBunch of Thoughts’ and said the iconic leader of RSS was also anti-Dalit and opposed reservation. He also insulted BR Ambedkar and the Cosntitution, he alleged. “RSS is a factory of spreading social hatred,” lalu commented and said if Modi hails from backward caste he should increase quota for the OBCs, SCs and STs and implement reservation in private sector also.
lalu said Modi was scared of his impending defeat in Bihar and in desperation he was resorting to all tactics. “Modi is scared that a defeat in Bihar will cost him of his chair. Amit Shah is all set to dethrone and replace him,” commented lalu.
On being asked about his controversial statement on beef, lalu said he has over 50 cows in his cowshed and he is not only a gau-palak (cow keeper) but also worships them. “Did Modi ever touch gobar (dung),” he said tongue in cheek.
Earlier RJD boss said that election surveys by electronic channels and agencies were being done as BJP has put gun on their heads.